akomapochuff Reviews

Pantheon (2022–2023)

If you love sci-fi and havent seen Pantheon, I beg you...

[9/10 · 24 May 2024]

This is an odd review, as I have no idea what to say aside from a sincere begging of people to watch it.

Having just finished both season's yesterday, in a single day... I can certainly say it was captivating, interesting, had a plethora of fascinating ideas, very powerful emotional moments, lots of interesting characters and proper life lessons.

I don't recall this giant space in myself created after the watching since I saw Interstellar in theatres back in 2014. Where you just have to sit and stare off into space for several hours after, knowing you are different after seeing something so vast and epic. It is a wonderful ride that leaves you with a change in your perspective of reality.

A super rare treat in our time of such shallow media not generally worth a seconds after-thought nor being watched in the first place.

But unlike most, I suspect Pantheon will be a show of practically eternal appeal and will be acknowledged as a classic.

So yeah, if you like Sci-Fi, this has practically everything. Just give it an episode or two.

Fallout (2024– )

Well done and enjoyable but still...

[7/10 · 15 April 2024]

After watching the first season, I can say it was well-done, of high quality and enjoyable enough.

Perhaps I was not the target audience, or perhaps everything was too foreshadowed such that I dont recall being surprised by anything. Or perhaps it was the times the show seemed to break its own rules.. I am not sure, but I dont feel as impressed as I should be which is weird.

I will still check out season 2, and did enjoy it. The quality is certainly worthy of the 8.7 score it currently has, but ... it just feels like something was missing. Its hard to say, but I really only enjoyed it like a 6 or 7 out of 10..

still check it out, people seem to love it.

Moving (2023– )

Is it a superhero show? is it a drama? I dont know but its very well done [8.5/10]

[8/10 · 28 November 2023]

End of Season 1 Review This superhero "action, adventure, fantasy" show is quite slow starting with a heavy amount of drama, but quickens later with more action and power and whatnot. But unlike shows like Heroes, where you want characters to die because they are so boring, in Moving, you end up caring for basically every character they want you to. The drama is very well done. Be prepared to cry a lot. The music was also well done, catchy and moving, and sticks with you.

Character development is stellar, there are lots of flashbacks, so you really see massive character change through long stretches, its all well done in my opinion. Ive read many reviews of people complaining about them being so constant, but I found the context formed by them to by very worthwhile as it adds so much more weight to things.

The show isnt perfect, it felt like there was some confusion in plot and antagonist focus. Which I wont spoil for this review. I am not sure how much replay value it will have, I dont think I can mine it endlessly for philosophical or religious value, but still overall its a good treasure and can leave you with things to think about.

In a age of hollywood superhero garbage saturation, this was very enjoyable.

Made in Abyss (2017– )

Favorite anime of a religious philosopher

[10/10 · 20 September 2023]

RELATIVELY SPOILER-FREE NON-TRADITIONAL REVIEW Warning, The show is like super dark. Which allows for maybe the best villain of all time, but still its dark to vile depths, but we are like dealing with a show that dances with infinity. And the most complex and miraculous combinations come from the play of the full range of infinite light and darkness. But that warning must be given......

This review as of the end of season 2, I gave this show a ten, and I guess there is no point having tens unless they are used but still this show is not perfect.

Regardless, there is something so special about made in abyss. I cannot think of a non religious or occult story that approaches the same depth.

The possibilities for drawing deep spiritual metaphors are abundant and the degree of depth of a story ultimately determines the shelf-life of something being one's favorite as the pursuit for wisdom continues in life, imo.

On the exoteric side, id give the plot 9-?, villians 9.5-?, soundtrack 10, art 8-8.5, characters 6-?,

I gave ranges for the scores, which is more accurate, and the question marks allow for even higher scores as the show goes more transcendental.

Like usual I do not find the words to express my weird relationship with things, so here i will share a quote from the main spiritual text I study which as if describes "the call of the Abyss" which should point to some the force in the show.

""" As one drawn by the grandeur of the Void The soul attracted leaned to the Abyss: It longed for the adventure of Ignorance And the marvel and surprise of the Unknown And the endless possibility that lurked In the womb of Chaos and in Nothing's gulf Or looked from the unfathomed eyes of Chance.

~ Sri Aurobindo, Savitri, 06.02_111:010 """

Blessings.

So I'm a Spider, So What? (2021– )

thrilling, creative, engaging, cute, hilarious, zero-to-hero isekai

[8/10 · 24 February 2021]

Honetly, imdb has this show at a 6.7 and I am confused.

Sure, Isekai's are being churned out at an alarming rate, sure, there's at least several coming out at the same time, sure, the anime isn't as good as the manga, (ill get back to this)

but really though this show is delightful. Its thrilling, creative, engaging, cute and hilarious. Its the only show I managed to even find a will to actually follow this season (aside from attack on titan), but not only did I follow this one, I went off and read the manga.

I gave it an 8. but I enjoy it like a 9.

back to the manga, which is important because the anime took a different route and added all this content about the other characters aside from the protagonist and well its dreadful. I get why they are doing it, but honestly I would rather watch a stripped version of the show without them. Its stealing time from the main character who is a precious sparkling gem.

This show reminds me of "Bofuri: I dont want to get hurt...", its cute and charming, zero-to-hero isekai power gaming. Though obviously there are difference but I love them both so much so.

I could go off about some later spoilers to help sell it which would be worth it, but ill say instead, the game mechanics are more than just cool (and broken) but very interesting, they lead to truly fascinating ideas and concepts. The show also has a few philosophical elements.

Enjoy : )

Deca-Dence (2020)

extremely underrated.

[8/10 · 19 August 2020]

Sigh. I wonder why this show is so underrated. Maybe its lacking in surface appeal, or what I love most about it is not what people often appreciate most.. regardless..

I had to review this show after the sixth episode though I thought to do it before hand. This show has an exceptionally rich story imo. There are so many co-relations with our world, with the ways things are, with the future. I am not going to spoil it but if you love Philosophy, Religion or Mythology you might really be able to appreciate it. Give it two episodes. Its also very heart warming and inspiring. I am very grateful for everyone who brought this work about.

Solar Opposites (2020– )

Entertaining but substanceless.

[7/10 · 12 May 2020]

So the show (season 1) was entertaining enough for me to keep watching, and it was fairly enjoyable. Some funny moments, good voice acting, some nice scenes with actually very beautiful coloring..

But it felt pretty hollow.

Just like Rick and Morty there is a lot of randomness comedy, lots of violence, lots of ripping from other sources, high tech mumbo jumbo which allows for the instant birthing of problems that are just as easily solved...

But it felt like perhaps there were a few run off ideas from rick and morty that didnt make the cut and so they invented a new universe and characters to explore them in. (or there was potential for money im not sure).

Even the semi-finale, which was the best episode of the season, while very good. Felt like they took a handful of movies or stories and smashed them into the universe and knit them to fit it. Im thinking Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Snowpiercer or the Platform..

I dont know. As I said, entertaining but empty.

I suppose I give Rick and Morty the credit for while being similar it gets some pardon for at least being sprinkled with the occasional episode that makes me say "oh my.." that is damn surprising or quite profound or troubling and worth contemplation.. and those elements being mixed with the excessive of violence and potty humor make it feel amazing.

Whereas this show seems stripped of that and we are left with a pile of ice in the shape of food. Its similar to reading Nietzsche and finding something profound, vs someone reading Nietzsche, grabbing a catch-phrase and throwing it around without understanding it. Empty.

Rick and Morty: Never Ricking Morty (2020) Season 4, Episode 6

I understand the mixed reviews..

[10/10 · 4 May 2020]

I get why this episode wouldnt be for everyone.. the plot seems empty of meaning for most of the episode, so it seems superficial but I really love these meta and higher fanciful imaginings of worlds within worlds, supreme powers, the nature of fate..

The fact that even in that darkness of the world there too was Jesus and God aswell, I can imagine doesnt necessarily appeal to the common audience of the show, but I dig the fact that upon the Jesus' Invocation to God he stopped the train (which was basically a twisted hell for profit). So in the end the emptiness of the meaning of the plot ended up showing us a hell and still also a saving Grace in there. I really enjoyed it.

Bofuri: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, So I'll Max Out My Defense: Defense and Bonds (2020) Season 1, Episode 12

the Grand Finale!

[10/10 · 26 March 2020]

The crowning glory so far for our lovable supreme angel of death. A great finishing episode. Thank you to everyone involved in bring us to this wonderous, bright, good hearted and playful world. Lets all cheer together for Maple.

looks like it was renewed for season 2!

Westworld: The Winter Line (2020) Season 3, Episode 2

Turning a pocket inside-out, there is a universe inside.

[10/10 · 23 March 2020]

Does the episode really deserve a 10? probably not.

But Its episodes like this.. Just like "Kiksuya" (The telling of Akecheta and the Ghost Nation's journey to consciousness) when the show just goes nice and deep. Makes you think, and executes it with the kind of skillful-means that gives you the impression they have a team of philosophers and hackers giving them council as they wrote the episode. Otherwise as a philosopher and hacker I would have found the attempt cool, but laughable as such things are often expressed in media. And as such it will not be a "10" for everyone, since the nuances may be missed.

So once again, its probably not objective 10/10, for its not perfect, but I live for episodes like this, so its a 10 out of 10 to me in particular, aka subjectively. Excellent.

Bofuri: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, So I'll Max Out My Defense (2020–2023)

Lighthearted, hilarious, fantasy; a good-time

[9/10 · 12 February 2020]

This show is definitely not perfect. Its mechanics are inconsistent (though some are very cool (like skill training on use(final fantasy II anyone?)), some lines.. are like as if the character just spent 5 minutes being the opposite of who they are, and then they say something as if to try to convince you they are this thing. And there is no way such a person would become so overpowered..

But still, its ridiculousness is part of its charm. It's a beautiful fantasy world, and the hi-jinks the character gets into are so fun and hilarious.. I cant help but really enjoy watching this. So silly and dumb. But so cute and fun. I cant help but cheer for this lovable main character.

I would love to just binge seasons of this show, it looks like they are past the manga? I tried finding more.

Also, thank God, there is no smutty fan-service. Its just adorable moe goodness.

I gave it an 9. But I love it like its a 10.

Thank you to all who helped to bring us this wondrous, bright, fun, good-hearted and silly world.

EDIT: Season 2 is out Yay!, the graphics seem worse (or were they sometimes that bad?) regardless. I get to binge another season as I wished. The OP protagonist is still killing it and having hardly no difficulty, making this show still a warming respite.

Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious (2019)

well executed.

[8/10 · 21 November 2019]

This review is coming after episode 7 and up to this point ive really enjoyed the show. It has some weak points such as its tendency to explain things in a unrealistic manner (like in the middle of combat to explain your tactical advantage, so dumb(though many anime are guilty of this)) but that aside, I find the show pretty hilarious. It is wonderfully and expressively illustrated. The wide range of excessive emotional reactions to the absurd behaviours of the protagonist give me a few good laughs per episode. It is also interesting to see some pretty well thought-out combat strategies the protagonist thinks of/reveals on some occasions, which gives it a balancing complexity.

I dont know if it really deserves an 8. But its enjoyable at an 8.0 level for very well-executed light-hearted fun.

Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne (2019) Season 8, Episode 6

like being stabbed in the heart by a lover after a kiss

[5/10 · 20 May 2019]

Or like being served a gorgeous painting of food when you are hungry

So a non-metaphorical explanation: The episode itself was very good. The acting, camera work, music. The ending itself was fairly satisfying, in the sense, that it did wrap everything up.

The issue, was the same as with the rest of the season.. It needed to be at least 2 seasons longer. Similar to how the long night should have been at least a season long, and the mad Queens decent into madness needed time for the descent to properly unfold.

If the episode was the season finale of season 8 or 9, it may have gotten anywhere from a 8-10 possibly.

Parasyte: The Maxim (2014–2015)

Brilliant Philosophical-Thriller

[10/10 · 1 October 2016]

There are many reasons why this is my favourite anime of all time..

The Character Development. I am always a fan of proper character development and this show is very rich in that. Some changing quickly others more slowly and some not at all but regardless if that is something you enjoy this show does it very well. The main character in particular undergoes extremely rapid change and affects how he relates to others and himself. His struggle, their struggle.. It's Heavy. I would love to talk about this in detail but to me its the most essential element of the show and I dare not spoil it.

The Philosophy, as a result of the rich character development, many characters find themselves pondering the situation they are in, who they are and what things mean. And I really empathized with many characters, especially once some of them have undergone some change. I am a sucker for quality philosophy. On that note it also deals a good amount with psychology.

The horror. Okay so this show isn't terrifying, and that is very much due to the way it was animated. If the anime style was darker (which I wish it was) this show would probably given me nightmares. Still there are some scenes where it is very easy to tap into what some of the characters are feeling, and it is pure dread. There is a good dash of lightness to the show at the same time.. And there has to be otherwise this show would just be so dark.

The heartbreak. I cried several times throughout this series.

The action. The action is the main of the show but there a good deal of it and it is done well for different reasons. From intense moments of power and gore to tactical contemplation in the heat of battle.

And finally the soundtrack to this show compliments it so well. During intense moments they play this hybrid dub-step in a horror setting.. my first time through this show it threw me to the edge of my seat. The opening theme is also epic.

I wouldn't consider this a show for everyone, but if you are one of those who it appeals to then congratulations! You are in for a treat.